In the Baron's Debt: Historical Regency Romance

by Roselyn Francis

  “Thank you, Holmes,” Loftus clapped his butler warmly on the arm as he hurried after her.

  In the doorway, Augusta stood leaning on the frame, watching as Markus gazed at his new gift. It was a brand-new piano, one a little smaller than the one Loftus had in the house, but a little bigger than the harpsichord in Augusta’s. It was the perfect size for Markus to continue his practice.

  “Do you like it?” Augusta asked, watching as Markus turned to her, jumping up and down.

  “I love it, thank you Mama,” he ran to her just as Loftus appeared at her side. The boy hugged her legs.

  “You are very welcome,” she patted him on the head with affection. “It is a gift from both of us.”

  The boy ran back to the piano, eager to be playing at once. As he sat on the stool and practiced the short pieces Augusta had taught him. Loftus moved closer to her and wrapped an arm around her waist. She leaned into him as they watched Markus, both smiling.

  “I did not think I could ever be this happy,” Loftus whispered to her, dropping a small kiss to her neck that brought a giggle from her.

  “Me neither.”

  “Our guests will be arriving soon for the breakfast,” he murmured to her, his hold growing tighter on her waist and making her thoughts turn to a more exciting matter.

  “Then I must change before their arrival,” she glanced down at the wedding dress she wore. It was a soft cream empire gown with a long train behind. “Care to assist me?” She looked up with a mischievous smile, her excitement growing further as he smiled at her.

  “How could I refuse?” He released her waist and took her hand. They both looked at Markus one last time, ensuring he was happy before he led her through the house and up the stairs towards his chamber.

  Once they were hidden inside, completely alone, Augusta found herself taken into Loftus’ arms again. This time, it was different to their afternoon on the bed. As he kissed her, it held the same urgency, the same need and passion, but there were softer touches too.

  As they began to undress each other, there were gentle caresses, whispered words of love and promises for the future. As Loftus untied the corset from Augusta, she felt her breathing grow quicker with anticipation.

  “We will have to be quiet this time,” he whispered to her with a small laugh. “With the staff making preparations for the wedding breakfast, they might hear us if we are too loud.” She laughed at the idea, hurrying to remove her stockings and toss them to the floor.

  “That might be a difficult task.”

  “Then I will have to quieten you with kisses,” he spun her back around as she was released from the corset and gave her one of the kisses he had mentioned.

  His hands wandered with the kisses, to the point that he was reaching beneath the chemise she was wearing to her bear skin beneath. He caressed her waist and hips, urging her to claw at him, desperately trying to remove the shirt and trousers for him.

  “Hurry,” she pulled back from the kiss, gesturing for him to be quick with removing his clothes. “If we are gone very long, poor Markus will wonder what happened to us, and the guests might arrive at any moment.”

  “He will understand when he is older,” Loftus laughed, but nevertheless he hurried with his clothes. Within minutes, he had stripped himself and was reaching toward her chemise, lifting it over her head and tossing it to the floor.

  Once bare, they pressed their bodies together again. Augusta felt her body coil with excitement at his touch. She dragged him towards the bed, pulling him to follow her. A part of her wondered how life could have been if they had been so intimate for the last eight years, but it hardly mattered anymore.

  She now had her happiness, even if it had to be delayed a little by a few years.

  She pulled him over her on the bed. He was quick to follow, parting her legs by pulling at her knees. Her body was ready for him, he positioned himself over her, there was no need for hesitation.

  As he moved inside of her, they both gasped. They paused for a moment, just feeling how they were connected, as they gazed at one another.

  Before they could begin to move and begin their sensual dance together, Augusta lifted her hand to Loftus and brushed back his hair from his forehead, the better to admire his green eyes.

  “I love you,” she whispered, prompting him to smile and drop a sweet kiss to her lips.

  “I love you too.”

  Then, he began to move. It was not long until they were both panting from the heat of the rhythm that had been built up. Augusta pulled at his arms as he moved, desperate to be somehow even closer to him.

  Soon, Loftus paused in his movement, making Augusta look up at him in surprise.

  “There is something I would like to try,” he whispered to her. “But remember, we must stay quiet.”

  She nodded, his words sent a shiver through her. He withdrew from her, then urged her to turn over so that she was on her hands and knees. Then he moved toward her and entered her again from behind.

  The new sensation had Augusta bury her head against the mattress, muffling any chance she had at moaning, though her body was begging her to make the sounds.

  Loftus picked up the pace again and their sensual rhythm soon sent Augusta to new heights of pleasure. As with before, just as she had climbed that ladder of bliss, she climbed it again. This time, she and Loftus both reached their peaks at the same time. As she crashed over the edge, Loftus did too. Neither of them could quite stop their moans completely. They moved together, riding out the wave of passion, as they both came down from their high.

  Afterward, they laid on the bed side by side, both struggling to regain their breath.

  “We should dress,” she patted his chest. “We have guests coming.”

  “I’m tempted to tell them not to come,” he laughed, prompting her to tap him harder in a mock reprimand.

  “It is our wedding breakfast!”

  “We have waited many years, and I wish to make up for lost time,” he rolled her over, preparing to give her another kiss.

  “Do not think on it,” she said with seriousness, weaving her hands in his hair once again. “We have our whole lives together now.”

  He kissed her again and she lost herself in that kiss and her own words.

  It is true. We are together forever from now on.

  The End?

  Extended Epilogue

  Eager to learn what the future holds for Augusta and Loftus?

  Then you may enjoy this extended epilogue.

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  Afterword

  Thank you for reading my novel, Seducing the Sinful Duke. I really hope you enjoyed it! If you did, could you please be so kind to write a review HERE?

  It is very important for me to read your thoughts about my book, in order to get better at writing.

  Please use the link below:

  https://www.roselynfrancis.com/tm9g

  Do you want more Romance?

  If you’re a true fan of the Regency Romance genre, here is a sample of my best friend’s, Lisa Campell, latest best-selling novel: Seducing the Sinful Duke

  A wallflower ready to be plucked, and a notorious rake who cannot resist the vixen. When they get caught during their scandalous act, they are left with no other choice than marry. Lust may have brought them together but love can tear them apart…

  Seducing the Sinful Duke

  Prologue

  1815

  Bellingham Estate,

  London, England

  Miss Helena Bellingham was in her bedchamber when she heard the wheel of the cart outside. She looked up from the book she had been reading and ran to window to see who had arrived, because as far as she knew, neither of her parents had gone out.

  When she pulled the drapes apart a little, her gaze landed on that of a young man alighting the carriage. Helena’s brow creased when she saw Griffin, the butler, directing some foo
tmen to carry some trunks out of the carriage. She had not been informed that there would be a visitor. She leaned further when she saw her father. But the moment her father flung his arm around the boy's shoulder, and led him inside, Helena was unable to see anything anymore.

  Pondering, she stared ahead. Who was that? And why had she not been told that they would have a visitor? Helena moved away from the window and sat on her bed. Just then, a knock came on her door. She rose and faced the door.

  "Come in."

  The door opened and her governess, Lily, walked in. She bowed. "His Lordship would like to see you, my Lady."

  Helena eagerly rushed out the door and made her way down the stairs. It was midday, and she had retired to have a rest after her lessons with her governess but had been interrupted by the wheeling of the cart. Now she was unable to have her rest. She knew that her father's call was in relation to the stranger. Once she got to the last stair, she began to hear her father's voice in the hallway. It was coming from the drawing room.

  Helena looked back at Lily. Lily creased her brows. "Is there a problem, my Lady?"

  "None at all." Helena looked away from her and began to make her way to the drawing room.

  The moment she walked into the drawing room, she stilled. The lad she had seen from her bedchamber sat beside her father on the rosewood chair. He seemed to be a few years older than she was. He had brown hair and green eyes, just like her father. Helena swallowed. Could it be that what she had heard the maids talking about a few weeks’ prior was true? Did she really have a brother who was not born of her mother?

  When Helena had heard the maids speaking of it, she had not believed a word. Or perhaps deep down she had, but she only wished that it were not true. Of course, she had always wanted a sibling, but not under the circumstances that were mentioned by the maids. And the lad was older than she was. What had happened? She asked. Where had he been all of these years?

  Her father, Lord Edward Bellingham, Earl of Yorkshire, was seated beside the lad on the rosewood chair, while her mother sat on the rocking chair by the fireplace, oddly quiet.

  Helena could not remember a time when she had seen her mother happy. In the past few weeks, all she had heard between her parents were arguments. And many times she had seen her mother shedding a lot of tears. And Helena had known the problem all along. Everyone in the estate knew what the problem was. Helena wanted to walk to her mother's side and embrace her. She had wanted to do that for a long time, but her mother had begun to stay on her own. She locked herself up in her bedchamber and missed meals. Breakfast most especially.

  The Earl often asked that a hamper be sent up to her.

  "Come, Helena," said the Earl, gesturing for her to come to him. Helena snapped her gaze away from her mother.

  The lad who sat beside the Earl gazed at her with hard eyes. She had never seen such cold gaze from anyone. She creased her brows in return. Perhaps then he realized that his gaze was unwelcoming. He looked away and muttered something inaudible.

  "Allan, this is Helena," said the Earl.

  "Hello, Helena," said Allan.

  Helena nodded once and looked at her father. "Father? You sent for me."

  The Earl nodded. "There is something you must know."

  Helena had a feeling that she would not like what her father had to say. She looked at her mother again, and saw that rather than knitting, she was staring at her. The Countess smiled once and nodded. Helena was not certain what to do, but she knew that her mother's expression was an encouragement.

  She looked back at her father. "Yes, Father..."

  Her father rose and placed his arm around her shoulder. They walked to the red chair opposite where Allan was seated. Her father sat by her, his hand still around her shoulders. "You are no child anymore, my dearest Helena. And as such there are things you deserve to know."

  Helena had never felt like a child since she turned ten. And now, at thirteen, she even felt older than she supposedly was.

  "Allan is your brother," said her father.

  Helena swallowed. She had been expecting that from her father. She had been expecting him to utter those words. But not this way, not with her brother seating opposite them and watching them. Helena wished that her father had told her before he had brought him home, so that she could prepare for his arrival, so that she could ask her mother if she was alright with everything. But her father had kept it from her and was now informing her when Allan had arrived.

  "This is most unusual, but Allan's mother has just passed and he had nowhere to go. I do not know how beneficial it would be for him to stay here, given the circumstances surrounding his… birth. But with time I hope that things become easier. The lad has had a rough life, my dear, and all I wish is for him to be happy. I want you to welcome him with open arms, my dear."

  Helena looked back at her mother. Her eyes were glossy as she stared at Helena, but she nodded. Helena did not quite understand what that meant. The Countess then rose from where she was seated and made her way over to Helena. She sat on her other side. The Earl was also astounded by this.

  "Rose, you do not have to, if you do not wish to," said the Earl.

  Helena watched as her mother smiled a bit. But it was sad and did not reach her eyes. "He has nowhere to go, Edward. And he is... your child. He is welcome here."

  "Will you ever forgive me?" the Earl asked.

  "Edward..." Helena's mother whispered, looking away. Helena felt that she was intruding on a very important conversation. But this was the first time she had seen a cordial conversation between her parents in weeks. She knew that her mother seemed hurt deep down, but she felt hope inside her that everything would be back to normal quite sooner than she imagined. For this, Helena was happy that Allan had come to stay.

  That gave Helena all the encouragement she needed. If everyone had accepted him, then she should as well.

  Helena rose from where she was seated and walked over to Allan. When she rose, her father moved closer to her mother and took her hands in his. Helena's heart soared. She smiled as she watched them. They began to speak in low tones.

  She took a seat by him and smiled. "Hello, Allan. I am Helena." Allan nodded once. Helena smiled. "Your appearance has brought me hope."

  Helena's smile was wide, but Allan had a faraway look in his eyes as he looked ahead, watching the interaction between the Countess and the Earl.

  Chapter One

  1820,

  Islay Manor,

  London, England

  Although Miss Helena was happy to be attending the ball, her heart was home. She was not entirely comfortable being away from home, given that her father was ill. But he had insisted that she attended the ball in his honour, so she was left to attend the ball with her brother, Allan. But he also seemed to be in a terrible mood after she was announced and he was not.

  Miss Helena knew that her brother hated having to rely on her before he was granted a pass at events of this magnitude. Although he was respected amongst the ton, despite being born illegitimate, he could not be given a title, and that was why he was never announced at events.

  After they had walked through the threshold and made their way down the stairs, he unhooked his hand from hers and sauntered away without glancing back. Helena sighed. She was used to his temper, but today she felt alone without him. She was not acquainted with most ladies of the ton. Although she had heard of a few, having attended so very few balls and catching in on the latest news. Her closest friend Georgina was well acquainted with quite a lot of people as she attended almost all the events arranged. Except this one. Georgina had told Helena that she would not be able to attend because she had certain things she needed to take care of. Now, Helena was left alone.

  She walked towards the end of the ballroom in search of new acquaintances to make. As she made her way there, hands clasped and smile unwavering, her gaze met with brown ones. Just across the room, by the table set out for drinks, a tall gentleman stood, a glass raised to his lip
s and his other hand in the pocket of his breeches. For a moment Helena stalled, captivated by his gaze. She watched as he gradually lowered the cup and turned to fully gaze at her.

  Blushing, Helena looked away and walked on. She hoped that no one had seen their exchange. She breathed out and walked ahead. As she walked towards the end of the room, she saw a gathering of ladies who looked about her age.

  However, she was halted when she heard someone call out for her. "Excuse me, Helena."

  That was Allan's voice.